Corgidor Dog Breed (Diet & Care)

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Are you looking for a mid-size dog with a loyal nature and steady temperament? A Corgidor could be the right choice! Keep reading to learn about this very pleasing mixed breed dog.

Corgidor Dog Breed Overview

What is a Corgidor dog? The Corgidor is not a purebred dog – it’s a hybrid mix of Corgi and Labrador Retriever. Physically, Corgidors usually look a lot like a Lab but with the short legs of the Corgi. In terms of personality, they’re generally intelligent and easygoing, as is the case with both parent breeds.

Although Corgidors are known as “designer dogs,” (a term that I dislike, since it’s used to refer to just about any type of crossbreed or mixed breed), they’ve existed for a lot longer than many of the current designer breeds. TheCorgidor is one of the oldest deliberate crosses – about a hundred years ago, people were crossing Corgis with Labrador Retrievers to create good herding dogs.

It takes many generations of deliberate crossbreeding along with carefully recording the lineage for the American Kennel Club (AKC) to recognize a “new” breed, and as of this writing (February 2020), it hasn’t happened. The Corgidor is, however, recognized by the DRA (Dog Registry of America).

Corgidor Price

With the increasing popularity of “designer dogs,”something has happened that I actually find a little strange – crossbreed dogs often command a higher price than either of their purebred parents! The Corgidor is no exception. A purebred Labrador puppy will usually set you back anywhere from $800 to $1,200. The price for a purebred Corgi could be anywhere from $600 to $1,000. A Corgidor price ranges from $750 to $1,500.

It is worth noting that for a purebred Lab or Corgi with outstanding bloodlines, you could easily pay $2,000 or more. It’s up to you. I’ve pointed out more than once that I’m an inveterate dog snob with a passion for purebreds. However, if the Corgidor is the dog that speaks to your heart, then all I have to say is “Go for it.”

Corgidor Adoption

If you’re contemplating a Corgidor adoption, your first inclination will probably be to go online and see what’s available. The trouble is that, as with so many things, the internet can be our best friend and at the same time our worst enemy. It’s very easy to find listings for just about any breed or breed mix that strikes your fancy. Not all of them are legitimate. In fact, according to the AKC, you have about an 80% chance of losing your money to a scammer.

From where I’m sitting, there’s no more heartless, vile creature than someone who would promise you a dog, steal your money and disappear. Yet people do it. Why? Because they can.

There are tons of red flags when it comes to puppy scams – sites that have the exact wording found on other sites, pictures of puppies appearing on multiple sites, people who won’t talk to you on the phone, requests for Western Union transfers or payment in gift cards and on and on. Sure, these people aren’t going to get everyone who’s looking for a puppy, but think of it this way – when was the last time you went fishing? When was the last time you caught all the fish? Puppy scammers only have to catch a few “fish” to make their money.

If you’re looking for a Corgidor for adoption, your best bet is to investigate local breed clubs and shelters. I’ve found a number of Corgidor adoption and rescue sites online, but none that I’m 100% comfortable recommending.

Corgidor Health Problems

Corgidors are generally healthy, as is the case with most crossbreeds. Frequently, when two purebred dogs are crossed, the health problems that typically plague the parent breeds are eliminated or reduced. However, the Corgidor could have some of the health problems that affect the lab and the Corgi. These include:

Back problems
Ear infections
Eye problems
Joint dysplasia
Obesity
Skin problems

None of these issues are life-threatening but any or all may require veterinary treatment. Regular checkups can go a long way toward ensuring good health and a long life for your Corgidor.

The biggest problem with Corgidors is obesity. Corgidors are high-energy dogs, but they do love to eat, as do most dogs. To keep your Corgidor in top form, feed a quality dog food and provide your dog with at least half an hour of exercise per day. Keep in mind, too, that yourCorgidor’s dietary requirements will change as he moves through various life stages. If you’re in doubt as to how much to feed yourCorgidor, consult your veterinarian.

Corgidors are no different from other dogs when it comes to routine maintenance – in other words, make sure to trim your Corgidor’s nails regularly, and check his ears for dirt, infection, and pests. Regular tooth brushing is also a good idea.

Corgidor Temperament

The Corgidor temperament comes directly from the parent breeds, the Labrador Retriever and the Corgi. From the Lab, the Corgidor gets his friendly, goofy nature. From the Corgi, he gets an alert and protective nature. Taken together, this adds up to an affectionate dog that’s good with strangers while still being protective if he perceives a threat to his humans.

Corgidors love to be active, so they thrive in homes where there are big yards in which to run. They’ll also do very well in apartments, though, provided that they get regular exercise.

Corgidors are very protective, and make good watchdogs. They’re not overly “yappy,” but they will bark to alert you if they perceive anything wrong.

Corgidors are good with kids of all ages, although it’s worth mentioning that you should never leave a child and a dog alone together, no matter what the breed. Corgidors are also good with other dogs, although they might try to be a bit dominant. It’s generally better to introduce a Corgidor puppy to an adult dog than it is to do it the other way around. Corgidors are also usually good with cats and other animals.

It’s always good, though, to be cautious when introducing new dogs to your existing family, so watch the body language. If they’re sniffing one another’s butts, that’s good. If they’re staring one another in the eye, that’s not so good. In fact, if you perceive eye-to-eye staring, it’s probably a good idea to separate the dogs right away – it’s a sign of aggression, and could very quickly escalate.

Corgidor Grooming

Corgidors typically have medium-length coats that take on the colors of either parent breed. They could be black, tan, red or brown, or mixes of various colors. Either way, the coat doesn’t usually require a lot in the way of grooming – a brushing once a week will usually get the job done. If your dog isn’t afraid of the vacuum cleaner, it can be a great tool for picking up loose hair off the coat.

Corgidor Lifespan

Frequently, mixed breed dogs enjoy a longer lifespan than either parent breed. This is another area where the crossbreed seems to have the advantage, with Labrador Retrievers typically living for about 12 years, Corgis enjoying a lifespan of 8-10 years, and Corgidors living usually anywhere from 10 to 15 years.

Corgidor Training

Corgidors aren’t the easiest dogs to train, but they’re not the most difficult either. They’re average learners, so you should expect that they will take a little bit of time when it comes to Corgidor training. The best approach is to be kind and patient, and to use positive reinforcement with lots of praise and treats.

As is the case with all puppies, socialization is vital. The best way to socialize your Corgidor puppy is to enroll him in doggie daycare or obedience classes. This gives him the opportunity of meeting a lot of other dogs, and humans as well. You can also socialize your Corgidor puppy by taking him to visit neighbors, hanging out in mall parking lots, and just generally going anywhere that people and dogs might hang out. Dog parks are also great places for socialization, provided that your little buddy’s shots are all up to date.

There is one little problem that you might (or might not) have with your Corgidor. Labs are typically quiet dogs, but Corgis can be a bit barky. If your Corgidor decides that he prefers to take on the Corgi side in the equation, you might have to teach him that constant barking is not a good idea. Fortunately, it’s easy to train a dog out of barking. Oddly enough, it involves letting him bark!

Here’s how it’s done. Let your Corgidor bark to his heart’s content. Then, when he STOPS, tell him what a good boy he is, and give him a treat! Repeat as necessary. Eventually, he’ll get the idea that something good is going to happen when he stops barking. It’s best to start this type of training very early on, though, because once a Corgidor gets the idea that barking is a good thing, it’s very hard to correct the behavior.

Keep in mind, though, that you don’t want to stop barking entirely. Barking is your dog’s way of letting you know that something might be wrong. You don’t want to give him the idea that he can’t alert you to possible threats. Excessive barking is annoying, but barking to let you know that something is off is your dog’s job!

Common Questions

How big do Corgi Lab mixes get?

Labs and Corgis are very different in size, so the offspring can also be very different. Generally, though, they’re mid-size dogs weighing anywhere from 40 to 55 pounds.

What does a Corgi Lab mix look like?

Click here to see typical Corgidors.

What are Labs usually mixed with?

Just about anything. Labs are very popular dogs, so you’ll find them mixed with all manner of other dogs.

Why is a Corgi so expensive?

It’s because Corgis aren’t all that common. It’s supply and demand, pure and simple.

What are the cheapest dogs to buy?

Beagles and Manchester terriers top the list. I think it’s worth mentioning, though, that if you’re looking to buy a dog, the last thing you should be considering is which breed or breed mix is going to cost you the least amount of money. You could buy a dog that doesn’t cost you much, but could nearly bankrupt you in terms of vet bills over the years. ANY dog is going to cost you money in one way or another. Choose the dog breed that’s right for you – the one that speaks to your heart, and that you will love forever.

Of course the cheapest dog is going to be one that you get from an animal shelter. You won’t be paying for a breed, you’ll just be paying an adoption fee. And unless you’re dead set on a particular breed, why not consider a shelter mutt?

Can corgis be left alone all day?

Of course they CAN. If you’re a total jerk, you CAN leave a Corgi, or any other breed of dog, alone all day. But should you? No. Corgis, and Corgidors and Labradors are like any other dog breed – they want to be with their humans. It’s a cruel and horrible thing to leave a dog of any breed or mix alone all day. Your dog wants nothing more than to be with you, and to leave him alone in the house all day is an act of cruelty. Please, just don’t do it!

Conclusion

Is a Corgidor the right dog for you? If you want a wonderful, loving companion that will play with you and look after you, and be a great companion to anyone in your family, then you could do a lot worse than a Corgidor.